Akaya Kirihara
Akaya Kirihara (切原 赤也, Kirihara Akaya) is a fictional character in the manga and anime The Prince of Tennis. Kirihara is a 13-year-old regular of Rikkai Daigaku Fuzoku's tennis team, the youngest and only second year student in the Rikkaidai line-up, thus earning him the title 'Second Year Ace'.
Character
Kirihara first appears when he accidentally arrives at Seigaku while oversleeping on his ride to a tournament; he looks childish, friendly - and no where near as cruel as he acts in his match against Fudomine, where he causes Kippei Tachibana (Fudomine Middle School's tennis captain) such serious injuries that he has to be hospitalized and (in the anime) miss the Senbatsu camp. In the manga, Kirihara aims for Tachibana's head and stomach; in the anime, he just aims for his ankle.
When Kirihara is under hard pressure or his pride is being injured, he becomes extremely angry and 'devilish', as depicted with blood red eyes. He then unleashes a brutal assault on the opponent's body. He uses this technique on Tachibana and later on Shusuke Fuji. However, this technique is completely ineffective against Kirihara's vice-captain, Genichirou Sanada, because of Sanada's incredible reflexes; Sanada himself says that if Kirihara trained for ten more years, perhaps he would have a chance against him.
History
Kirihara is blessed with rather high concentration span (as pointed out by Sanada), but he has had a lot of bad luck, accompanied by his worse attitude. He begins with joking around in Seigaku's Tennis Club, but he ends up causing an accident that disrupts the club practice in such a way that he quickly flees the scene, not wanting the incident to be traced back to him.
Kirihara always expects the best from himself and hates losing. Three years ago, he heard that Rikkaidai Fuzoku had won the last year's national championship and had an incredibly strong team, so he entered the school with the ambition to be the best. But as he says himself, "My ambition was quickly crushed by the "Sannin Bakemono" (three monsters)!" After that, Kirihara's new ambition became to defeat the "monsters" (Rikkaidai's captain, Seiichi Yukimura, Sanada, and Renji Yanagi), and he became a regular on Rikkaidai's tennis team following these events.
In the spring, he meets up with Ryoma Echizen of Seigaku for the first time, and the two size each other up. When Rikkaidai once again reaches the Kantou Tournament, Kirihara faces Tachibana of Fudoumine in the semi-finals; however, although Tachibana is a nationally ranked player, Kirihara easily wins, thanks to a combination of his violent play and Tachibana having locked away his true potential (due to being a player with violent tendencies himself).
Just before the finals in the manga, Kirihara meets up with Ryoma while he is training, and they have a match. Kirihara jumps up to a 4-0 lead, but then Ryoma accidentally taps into the State of Self Actualization, and he proceeds to win the next 6 games. When Sanada finds out, he punishes Kirihara by slapping him across the face in front of the team, since Rikkai's policies don't allow members to have unofficial matches without express approval.
At the current time, it seems Kirihara may have already skill-wise surpassed Yanagi, who technically is the weakest of the "three monsters". Ironically, the "demon" that Kirihara has the best off-court relationship with is the aforementioned Yanagi; after a rather rough start, they develop a bittersweet companionship, and in the manga, after Yanagi loses his match with Sadaharu Inui in the Kantou Tournament, Kirihara uses his racket to protect Yanagi from being slapped by Sanada and claims that it isn't needed, since he will win against all odds. However, Kirihara loses as well to Fuji; although Kirihara activates the State of Self Actualization, his body can't keep up and he faints.
In the anime, Kirihara tasted the feeling of violence by himself. This was reflected in the match against Fuji when he thought Fuji trying to take his revenge on him by hitting his knee, which wouldnt have happened had kirihara not stepped back. Though it was all perception, it went a long in Kirihara's decision to change his violent style.
During the Junior Invitational camp arc in the anime, Kirihara decides to stop using the Devil Mode and not injure anyone else, but no one outside of Rikkaidai believes him - mainly because his cockiness hasn't changed. An Tachibana, Kippei Tachibana's little sister, who was working there as a manager, decides to face him and doesn't believe his words about being "reformed". When Kirihara loses his patience and insults the whole Fudomine team, Ann tries to slap him, but he takes a wrong step and falls down a flight of stairs. The Fudomine sub-captain, Akira Kamio, is blamed for this until Ryoma Echizen unmasks Ann and later plays with Kirihara, forcing him to face his demons. Kirihara says that he will never injure anybody else, and after the incident he has since stayed true to his word. However, this only occurs in the anime.
In the manga, Kirihara still plays as violently as before. As he was deeply injured suffering Nagoya Seitoku's captain Liliaden Krauser even more violent style of play, Akaya snapped into Devil Mode and destroyed him effectively, turning around the fate of the match as well as the whole national semi-finals tie.
Special Moves/Shots
Phantom Ball (Anime Only)
The Phantom Ball does not appear until after Kirihara's match with Seigaku's Shusuke Fuji. He develops this technique to prove to everyone that he is willing to change into a better person and that he doesn't need shots that hurt his opponents in order to win. This shot is first shown during his match against the America Team's Kevin Smith. This shot uses inhuman speed and extraordinary amount of hit precision and force application in order to produce the necessary spin for the ball. When it lands, the spin and speed of the ball creates an illusion of temporary disappearance, and then reappears at another place confusing left-handed players, since they normally hit a backhand at the time. Kirihara can also fake the Phantom Ball, which makes it almost impossible to return. However, this ball is harmless against right-handed players.
Knuckle Serve
The Knuckle Serve is a more powerful version of the Kick Serve and the Twist Serve. Kirihara presses the ball between his fingers and then throws the ball into the air, which creates a unusual spin on the ball. When the ball bounces, it goes straight for the opponent's face with high speed and destructive power. The direction can only be determined by its user. When Kirihara uses this technique against Fuji, Yanagi actually shouts at Kirihara that he'll injure his rival and that he should stop. One of Kirihara's trademarks while using this shot is to shout out "Bye, Bye"(in English).
Devil Mode
This is the mode that Kirihara enters when he gets angry. The whites of his eyes turn red, and his power, skill, and speed increase. In this mode, Kirihara's shots against the body become more dangerous and powerful. Kirihara often licks his lips in this mode, which shows that he loves what he is doing.
Kirihara seems to have expanded the Devil Mode, when pushed to his physical limit by Lilaiden Krauser, Kirihara skin changes color and his hair becomes white, his bloodlust and destructive power are enhanced.
State of Self Actualization (Muga no Kyochi) (Manga Only)
Kirihara is one of many players, including his senpais Yukimura and Sanada, who can activate the State of Self Actualization. In the State of Self Actualization, a player is able to intake every technique used against them and copy it. The first time Kirihara uses it, he loses consciousness. He has not shown it since, but judging from Ryoma's experiences, he probably will not have a problem with losing consciousness again.
Ka (Fire)
One part of Sanada's special FuuRinKaZan combo. Ka is an extremely drive/smash shot. Kirihara is able to use it in the State of Self-Actualization. However, due to his inexperience, he wasn't able to beat Shuusuke Fuji with it.
Drive B
A drive volley that two quick consecutive bounce arcs, forming the "B" shape of its namesake. It is one of Ryoma Echizen's signature moves. Kirihara is able to use it in the State of Self-Actualization.
Twist Serve
A serve that curves when it is bounced and is meant to hit the opponents face. It was first seen in the match against Fuji Shusuke.
One-Footed Split Step
A split step using one foot. This difference allows Akaya to increase his speed and cover the court more effectively.
Red Snake Shot
A return similar to Kaoru Kaidoh's snake, however the destructive power far outclasses Kaidoh's. Being only grazed by the shot resulted in blood drawn from Kaidoh's left cheek. He called it as 'Red Snake Shot.
Tornado Snake
This is the same move Kaidoh used, just like the Red Snake Shot, except it is in a Tornado Snake move.
Notable Matches
Hiyoshi Wakashi
Before the anime starts Kirihara and Hyotei Gakuen's Hiyoshi Wakashi have a match in the newcomer's tournament. Rikkai Dai's Renji Yanagi says before Ryoma Echizen and Hiyoshi Wakashi's match, but Kirihara doesn't remember playing Hiyoshi. Kirihara is belived to have won due to him being far more skilled.
Kippei Tachibana
In the Kantou Tournament, Rikkai Dai faces off against Fudomine, In Singles 3 Kirihara plays against 3rd year Kippei Tachibana.
Although Tachibaba is a superor player, he has locked away his Wild Beast Aura at this point, since he as sprained his ankle from before and also, just like Kirihara, is a player with more-or-less hidden violent tendences, which he's trying to repress so he doesn't injure anbody like he did to Senri Chitose, However Tachinbana still loses 6-1.
Ryoma Echizen (Manga Version)
Kirihara and Ryoma Echizen of Seigaku meet prior to the Kantou Regional finals and decide to have a match. While Ryoma starts out well, Kirihara's Devil Mode form becomes too much for him. However, when losing 4-0, Ryoma unconsciously taps into the State of Self Actualization for the first time. He goes into a trance and wins sixs consecutive games, defeating Kirihara, but then falling unconscious. When he awakes, he is unaware of his victory.
Shusuke Fuji (anime version)
Fuji starts the match off with his Disappearing Serve. Kirihara fails to return the Disappearing seve three times in a row, however, on the fourth try, Kirihar was able to hit it, but the ball hits the net, so Fuji wins the game. During Kirihara's service game, he hits a Twist Serve, but it was evaded by Fuji. After Kirihara fails to win a few points from Fuji, He activates his Devil Mode. He thin hits a drop shot, and Fuji returns it, but Kirihara smashes the ball and hits Fuji's knee, which he does twice, subsequently winning the game. Kirihara then uses his Knuckle Serve, which hits Fuji's head. Due to the pain in his knee, Fuji looses three straight games. Kirihara continues using his strategy, until Tachibana comes to encourage Fuji. When Kirihara tries to hit Tachibana with the Knuckle Serve, Fuji gets angry. Fuji then uses the Knuckle Serve himself, which scares Kirihara since he belives Fuji is aiming for him. Due to Kirihara's fear, Fuji manages to win that game. When Kirihara's fear grows, he steps back, which causes him to get hit on his knee. Beliving that Fuji hit his knee on purpose, Kirihara is paralyzed by his fear, which results Fuji winning the last few points with service aces.
Shusuke Fuji (magna version)
Fuji started off the game by going on the offence, which everyone was surprised at, considering that Fuji's real forte is in his counter techniques. After Fuji won the first point with a smash, Kirihara went into devil mode and started using his split step to force Fuji into the corner, which Fuji countered by using the Hakugei. Using the split step, Kirihara was able to run up to the ball and smash the ball back, only for Fuji to return the ball with a Higuma Otoshi, winning the game 1-0 without reply. After a brief flashback of Fuji and Kunimitsu Tezuka having a conversation after Fuji's match with Ryoma, Fuji was shown to be leading 2-0. Another brief flashback of Tezuka's match with Keigo Atobe, which made Fuji decide to start playing seriously. Kirihar injures Fuji with a smash that knocked Fuji's racket off and Fuji was blinded by the injury substained as a result of Kirihara hitting the ball to Fuji's head during the match. After that, Fuji continues playing while being still blinded and told coach Ryuzaki that he is not backing down. With the score 3-0 before that, Kirihara managed to win four straight games and mocked Fuji, saying that Fuji was playing fine even when he was blinded. Fuji won the next 2 games before Kirihara unconsciously went into the Muga no Kyouchi, giving Fuji a run for it and managed to win the last point by using the side of his racket after Kirihara broke his racket with Sanada's Kaa Technique. The match ended with Fuji winning 7 games to 5.
Ryoma Echizen (anime version)
During the Junior Invitational camp to prove he's changed Kirihara plays a match with Ryoma Echizen. They start to play evenly but Ryoma starts to take the lead when he hits a lob Kirihara fails to return it which causes him to fall down. When he gets up he licks his lips and everyone thinks he's actived Devil Mode but his eyes aren't red. Kirihara starts to take the lead and hits a drop shot and Ryoma returns hit he but when Kirihara hits a smash it hits the baseline not Ryoma's knee and everyone belives that Kirihara has changed, and both he and Ryoma enjoy there match to the end.
Kevin Smith (anime only)
In the goodwill games in singles 1 Kirihara plays Kevin Smith of the american team. Kevin who wanted to play Ryoma Echizen, Kirihara is insulted and reveals his new move The Phantom Ball. After 3 Phantom Ball shots and a feint Kirihara wins the game in no time flat making the score 1-0. Kevin admits that Kirihara is strong but then Kirihara insults him and Kevin wins his service game making the score 1-1, when Kevin hits a cord ball Kirihara returns hit with the Phantom Ball but he then hits the net and he says he is alright but in truth he has injured his shoulder, due to his shoulder Kirihara cannot hit the the Phantom ball and he loses the game making the score 1-2. Kirihara remembers how much he admired his school Rikkai Dai which was number one in the nation, by joining the number 1 school Kirihara belived he would become number one but his ambition was crushed by his three teammates Yukimaru,Sanada, and Yanagi after that he swore he defeat them and become number 1. Kirihara then uses the Phantom ball, until Kevin figures out the angle but Kirihara kepts hitting feints and therefour making the score 2-2. Kirihara realizes that if he plays with his bad shoulder his arm will be destroyed, so he starts to hit with his left hand. However his shoulder pain is to great and he has to quit.
Some people say that if Kirihara didn't get hurt both he and Kevin would have achieved the Muga no kyouchi.
Trivia
In the manga, his teammate, Niou Masaharu, has taken to calling him 'seaweed head'.